Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

David Kushner

David Kushner
The Dichotomy

Album length: 17 tracks: 55 minutes, 33 seconds
Style: Pop / Gothic Pop
Street Date: August 30, 2024
Buy It: Amazon Music



Ready or not, here we go into a new era of music! With fresh faces, the ease of making high-quality songs from a laptop in home studios, and even unorthodox ways of breaking into the industry, this is not your dad's Christian music. David Kushner joins the growing ranks of artists who develop an audience via a social media platform like TikTok before launching a music career in earnest. With viral hits like "Mr. Forgettable" (2022) and "Daylight" (2023), Kushner looks to capitalize on that momentum with his debut album titled, The Dichotomy, in 2024.

The press release describes it as David's personal story of, "overcoming darkness and sin, highlighting his increasing desire to honor Jesus as he moves towards the light." The album's seventeen tracks are split into four sections building from the struggle with lust, jealousy, conflict, and anger to a growing desire for Christ and His healing. I also heard the album was being categorized as "gothic pop," which further piqued my interest. With that intriguing setup, and my limited previous experience with the artist, I began my journey with The Dichotomy.

First things first, I give David high marks for the concept, but this is largely a miss. In a musical landscape where it would be easy to keep pumping out individual songs, he went the album route. As a major album appreciator, I give him full kudos there. However, The Dichotomy is virtually seventeen tracks of the same song with little to no variance musically. "Daylight" was one of the previously released singles and nearly every other album song follows that formula. Kushner starts each tune in his lower (and we are talking low here) register for the verses, utilizing darker piano chords, and then sweeps up into his higher register for the chorus with the same stomp-clap drumbeat. It works with minor nuance for a few tracks, but doesn't hold up across all seventeen songs.

However, there are some standouts, and the tracks that worked do so extremely well, namely "Flesh x Blood," "Humankind," "Universe," "California Nights," and "Daylight." The former song, "Daylight," puts a spin on the thoughts of the Apostle Paul in Romans 7, with Kushner's lyrics, "There's darkness in the distance/I'm begging for forgiveness/But I know I might resist it oh /Oh I love it and I hate it at the same time." This truly is the thesis of the album, I'm just disappointed that the song is buried at the end of the album.

Lyrically, there is far too much time spent on the struggle with sin in the first thirteen of the album's songs. I appreciate a long setup before the turn, but this crossed the line into nearly celebrating and wallowing in temptation. The risk of spending so long in the shadows is that a less patient listener would never make it to the more hopeful final four tracks. Indeed, most modern listeners will likely listen to a playlist with individual songs ripped from the context, missing the larger narrative.

Ultimately, The Dichotomy would have been more effective as a five to seven-song EP. There just is not enough variety for it to hold up to the weight of the seventeen-song concept. It was a mighty swing, but this time it was a miss for me. I'll keep my eye on David Kushner because there is undeniable talent there, but for now, I'll stick with a select few songs for the playlist.

- Review date: 8/28/24, written by Josh Balogh of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

 

 

. Record Label: None
. Album length: 17 tracks: 55 minutes, 33 seconds
. Street Date: August 30, 2024
. Buy It: Apple Music
. Buy It: Amazon Music
. Buy It: Amazon (CD)
. Buy It: Amazon (Vinyl)

  1. No High (3:02)
  2. Poison (3:02)
  3. Skin and Bones (3:35)
  4. Hero (3:26)
  5. You and Me (3:01)
  6. Love Is Going To Kill Us (2:56)
  7. Dead Man (4:35)
  8. Flesh x Blood (2:54)
  9. Sweet Oblivion (2:15)
  10. Buried at Sea (3:44)
  11. Humankind (3:03)
  12. Universe (3:28)
  13. Heaven Sees (2:33)
  14. Darkerside (2:38)
  15. California Nights (3:39)
  16. Saving Your Soul (4:29)
  17. Daylight (3:33)

 

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



This Friday, August 22, 2025
ALBUMS
The Choir Room Love Never Fails [Centricity]
Travis Greene Made in the South [Tribl]
Lecrae Reconstruction [Reach]
Lizzie Morgan Not My Will [Provident]
Josiah Queen MT. ZION [Capitol CMG]

SINGLES
John Allan Heaven Secrets - Single [Centricity]
Seth Davey The Highs and Lows - Single (independent)
Darlene Zschech, CeCe Winans Shout To The Lord - Single [The Fuel]
Dex the nerd who loves Jesus GRACE - Single [Syntax]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic A Sign - Single [Syntax]
Dust and Grace Hallelujah - Single [MTS]
Anthony Evans You're Not Finished (feat. Kaleb Carson) - Single [SJP]
Fepeste That's Okay - Single [Velvet Blue]
Forrest Frank THE ROCK (feat. Crowder) - Single [River House / 10K]
Good Weather Forecast Today (feat. Elijah Thomas) - Single [DREAM]
J.Solo Fair Warning ft. Knaladeus - Single [Syntax]
Tasha Layton The One You Love (feat. Rachael Lampa) - Single [BEC]
Mainstream Worship Invitation - Single [DREAM Worship]
Tyson Motsenbocker Future Seer - Single [Tooth & Nail]
Polished Arrow Bitter Waters - Single [Polished Arrow]
R.kitect, RJ Payne, m1L Lion King - Single [Syntax]
Rave Jesus I Met God On The Dancefloor - Single [Provident]
Saints in Exile & Czar Josh Becoming the Villain (Remix) - Single [Syntax]
Mackenna Swann Focusing on the Light - Single [Rixon]
tonyxtrotter Days of Old - Single [Syntax]
tylerhateslife. brave. - Single [Syntax]
V1 Worship Been So Faithful - Single [DREAM Worship]
Zach Williams Hated - Single [Provident]

This Saturday, August 23, 2025
ALBUMS
Brandon Hixson The Dawn of Mercy (independent)

Next Friday, August 29, 2025
ALBUMS
Jenn Chenoweth Out To Get Me - EP (independent)
Paul and Hannah McClure After Your Heart (Live) [Bethel]

SINGLES
Ashes Awaken A Better Way - Single [MTS]
CAIN Jesus Lifted Me (feat. Brooke Ligertwood) - Single [Provident]
MATTHEWS Don't Stop 'Til - Single [Curb]
Vineyard Worship Joy In Obedience - Single [Vineyard UK]
Zane Walls Dry Bones - Single [DREAM]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images